FINALLY, the wait is over. Sunderland fans had a goal from a striker to celebrate at the Stadium of Light, providing an ideal way to first-foot the New Year.

It certainly wasn’t a bad way to mark the beginning of 2024 – and secure three points to keep the Black Cats in the play-off picture ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup tie with Newcastle.

It’s true that Alex Pritchard might have also grabbed his first goal of the season against Preston, but the bigger news on Wearside will carry far greater significance, or at least that is what supporters and new boss Michael Beale will be hoping for.

Ukrainian Nazariy Rusyn was the man to deliver. Fans have wondered which one of summer recruits Rusyn, Eliezer Mayenda, Luis Hemir and on-loan Chelsea man Mason Burstow would break the duck. Now they know.

The 25-year-old, who hasn’t started since late November, finished like a front-man who scored 14 times for Zorya in his homeland last season too. Moving ahead of his man to turn Jack Clarke’s low cross in just before half-time.   

That followed Pritchard’s thunderbolt from 25 yards in the tenth minute; justifying his own inclusion which helped Sunderland edge towards a first home win under Beale.

While Pritchard’s return to the side was the result of Patrick Roberts’ injury, Beale opted for Sunderland to start with a recognised striker for the first time since December 2.

And Sunderland, aware of Preston’s struggles in recent months highlighted by a run of just four wins from 19, soon signalled what their intentions were by attacking the visitors.

Within 90 seconds of the game starting Clarke had curled an effort wide following a well worked move from right to left, while Pierre Ekwah fired an effort wide from the edge of the box.

In between those chances Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson had to make a strong save to his left to prevent Preston’s Ben Whiteman from scoring.

But Sunderland pushed forward with freedom in the early exchanges and were rewarded with Pritchard’s thunderbolt.

The 30-year-old couldn’t believe how much time he was afforded deep in the Preston half.  He had the time to pick his spot before drilling a powerful low drive inside former Newcastle goalkeeper Freddie Woodman’s bottom left corner from 25 yards.

It was a fine way to end his eight-month wait for a goal and show new boss Beale how important he could be moving forward this season; having been in and out of the side.

After that Sunderland had plenty more of the ball and threatened in the first half, with Clarke’s willingness to run at the Preston defence always a danger. Woodman had to be alert to hold an effort from him after one of the winger’s probing runs.

But without a second goal there was still a chance for Preston and they did create openings. Frokjaer had two efforts go close without seriously troubling Patterson and then, with half-time approaching, the crucial second arrived at the other end  – and what a relief it was too for the home fans.

Clarke was the creator. He darted at his man inside the box, edged left, before he rolled a pass into the path of the onrushing Rusyn, whose first-time finish did the rest.

After the restart Preston looked to create and pull one back. Patterson dived low to his near post to deny Liam Miller’s effort after he had created space for himself to shoot. There had also been numerous blocked efforts.

But Sunderland always did enough. Assisted by defending well, with Luke O’Nien and Dan Ballard throwing themselves at danger, Preston were unable to make the most of the extra possession in the second half and break in behind Sunderland’s backline.

And after Rusyn had been given a standing ovation by the supporters when he was replaced with 12 minutes remaining, Sunderland cruised towards a win that sets them up nicely for a visit from a neighbour next weekend.